ANZ Sail Fiji is just two more sleeps away and the fleet is itching to get on the water.

More than two representatives from each boat attended the briefing at Royal Akarana Yacht Club where sailors collected their boat packs and some vital weather information.

“A blocking high to the east of New Zealand has been a constant friend for us over the summer, and the same pattern is setting up for next week,” said Race Director Sally Garrett.

“A light south easterly start will be followed by a nor’easter later in the week. When the change will happen is not really known but all models are showing that the boats will see 25 knots with rain a some stage.

“Sadly the slower boats will see the worst of it, with 40 knots upwind a real possibility.

“The fleet this year are all well prepared and I can see no issues,” said Garrett.

Fifteen boats will start the race on Saturday 4th June with both Monohulls and Multihulls lining up on the same start line aiming the crack the line at the same time.

HMNZS HAWERA is the start boat and the cannon will be fired at precisely 1100 hours. Only a total drift off would delay the start of the 1,100 nautical mile race.

Team Vodafone Sailing (TVS), Simon Hull’s ORMA 60 will be aiming to beat the monohull record set by the Botin 80 Beau Geste in 2014. Karl Kwok and his team crossed the finish line in just 3 day, 20 hours, 49 minutes and 36 seconds. TVS crew member Andrew Potter seemed confident that the boat would break that record and that the team would cross the finish line around lunch time on Monday 6th June.

“Have the cold drinks ready! We will be there for lunch on Monday!” said Potter.

The goal for all boats is to be finished prior to the prize giving which is set for 1800 hours on Saturday 11th June.